MANCHESTER City boss Kevin Keegan has reassured Nick Weaver that his future lies at Maine Road.

MANCHESTER City boss Kevin Keegan has reassured Nick Weaver that his future lies at Maine Road.

However, the Blues chief has warned the England under-21 star that he will not tolerate any more wayward behaviour.

Keegan was furious that Weaver was spotted out drinking last weekend and, as punishment, dropped the former Mansfield star from the squad that faced Wolves on Tuesday night.

But, after clear-the-air talks, Keegan confirmed that he will not be slapping the 22-year-old on the transfer list - nor will he be looking to sign another keeper.

''Nick's future is here,'' the manager said. ''He did break club rules when he went out after the game against Crystal Palace until the early hours of the morning and I wasn't happy about that.

''Sometimes footballers have to look not just at the rules that are written down but those rules that aren't as well. I don't think he acted professionally last week and I have told him so.

Apologies

''I didn't think it was right to include him against Wolves but Nick has come in and apologised. He knows what he did was wrong and he now has to fight to win his place back in the first team.

''As for talk of me buying somebody else, that's rubbish. Nick has got a lot of ability, a lot going for him and he just has to realise that he is a professional footballer and has to behave properly.''

Meanwhile, Weaver will return to Keegan's squad for Sunday's clash with Bradford and the City boss is looking for his charges to maintain their excellent home record.

Tuesday's victory over Wolves was the eighth time City have taken all the spoils from a game at Maine Road - the only visitors to deny the Blues maximum points at home are Wimbledon, Stockport and Sheffield United.

And boss Keegan reckons that it is imperative to maintain such impressive form if the club are going to make a series push for the Premiership.

Confidence

''We are playing with a lot more confidence now, particularly at home, and that is going to be the key to getting out of this division,'' he said.

''It is a case of so far, so good. Eight wins and two draws is promotion form and I am more than happy with that. What we have got to get on with now is improving the away side.

''But there are a lot of sides around us, like Crystal Palace and Portsmouth, that have still got to come to Maine Road and that means the situation is in our own hands.''

Keegan is unsure as to what his starting line up against the Bantams will be, as he is sweating on the fitness of Eyal Berkovic, Danny Granville and Danny Tiatto.

But he has been given a boost by the news that Paulo Wanchope has finally recovered from the knee injury that has kept him sidelined since September, after the Costa Rican played 45 minutes for the reserves on Thursday.

''Paulo will definitely be involved at some stage,'' Keegan confirmed. ''He's a very fit boy and he's raring to go.''